Farm-gate.



G. A. MANFULL.

FARM GATE.

APPLICATION rum) JULY so, 1908.

Patented June 29, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

1m: NORRISPETERS ca WASHINGTON/Div;

G. A. MANFULL.

FARM GATE. APPLIOATION FILED JULY 30,1908.

1 Patented June 29, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

M by "'5 1m: NORRIS PETERS cm, WASHINGTON u G. A. MANFULL.

FARM GATE.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 30, 1902 Patented June 29,1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

GEORGE A. MANFULL, OF FORT LUPTON, COLORADO.

FARM- GATE Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 30, 1908.

Patented June 29, 1909.

Serial No. 446,091.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnonen A. MANFULL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Lnpton, in the county of \Veld and State of Colorado, have invented a new and useful Farm-Gate, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a farm gate of strong and durable construction, so arranged that the gate is well bala need upon a central supporting post, so that there is no tendency for the gate to sag or incline in either direction after long use.

A further object is to provide a gate of this kind that will not be affected by the wind, so that it may be opened and closed equally well, whether the Wind is blowing, or not.

A further object is to provide means whereby the gate is automatically locked in its open position, as well as in its closed position, so that there will be no danger of it being swung inadvertently in either direction when either open or closed.

A further object is to provide an improved gate latch device so arranged that the gate is firmly locked against both up and down movement when in its closed position, to thereby relieve the supporting post from all strain.

A further object is to provide means whereby the gate may be either opened or closed by the operator pulling upon a rope when either approaching the gate from one side, or leaving it from the other side, and further in this connection to provide means whereby the gate may be moved from its open to its closed position by spring pressure, so that all the operator needs to do after passing through the gate, is to pull slightly upon the rope to release the latch device, whereupon the gate will swing shut and automatically latch in its closed position.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a gate embodying my invention, arranged in its open position. Fig. 2 shows a top or plan view of same, with the gate in its closed position. Fig. 3 shows an enlarged detail sectional View through the lower end of the gate supporting post, and the adjacent portion of the gate, to illustrate the rail device for limiting the vertical movement of the gate. Fig. 4t shows a side elevation of same. Fig. 5 shows a detail sectional view illustrating a portion of the gate and the automatic latch device for holding the gate in its open position. Fig. (3 shows a detail sectional View through the gate, and the posts at one end of the gate, for holding the gate in its closed position. Fig. 7 shows a side elevation of one end of the gate and the posts adjacent thereto, for supporting the gate in its closed position. Fig. 8 shows a detail view of the central portion of the gate in its closed position, to illustrate the spring for limiting the tilting movements of the gate, and also for illustrating the spring for moving the gate from its open to its closed position. Fig. 9 shows a detail sectional view through the end of the gate opposite from the end shown in Fig. 6, and also the means for locking the gate in its closed position, and Fig. 10 shows a side view of the same end of the gate, illustrating the means for holding the gate in its closed position.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference numeral 10 to indieate the gate supporting post. This post is provided at its top with a cap having a rounded recess at its upper end, as shown in Fig. 8.

The gate proper comprises a frame consisting of a top rail 11 having at its central portion a plate 12 having a rounded projeetion 13 thereon, to rest on top of the cap on the post 10. lonnected with this top rail 11 are two independent gate frames 14- and 15, the lower ends of which frames are connected by means of the middle straps 10 fixed to them, and extended on opposite sides of the post 10. By this construction it is obvious that the gate will be permitted to tilt vertically to a limited extent on its supporting post.

Fixed to the gate member 15 is a spring 17 extended downwardly with its lower end yieldingly held against the gate post 10. In this way, the gate member 15 is normally held in an elevated position. It however, may be swung downwardly when pressure is applied to it snl'liciently to overcome the tension of the spring 17 Slidingly mounted between the straps 16 is a frame 18 having two rollers 19 mounted therein, which rollers engage the post 10.

on the side opposite from the spring 17. In the space between the frame 18 and the gate section 14, I have provided a wedge 20,.

adjustably held in place by a set screw 21. By this means, the tilting movement of the gate is limited, and the said rollers minimize the friction against the post 10. Then said wedge is placed at its upper limit of movement, the gate is permitted to tilt a comparatively great distance, and as the wedge is moved downwardly, the swinging move-' ment of the gate is limited.

Arranged at one side of the road way with relation to the gate member 15 that the 1 top rail 11 of the gate will, as it approaches its closed posit-ion, first engage the guide 25, which will cause the gate to tilt upwardly, and then the top rail 11 will engage the roller 24 and after it passes over the roller, it will drop between the roller 24 and the post 22 and thus be firmly and securely held against swinging movements. As an additional protection against swinging movements, I provide a short post 26 arranged opposite the post 23, and spaced apart from the post 22, and so arranged that the lower corner of the gate section 15 will, when in its closed position, stand between the post 22 and the post 26, to thereby prevent swinging movements of the lower end of the gate section,

as clearly shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

By means of the mechanism ust described, it is obvious that the gate when in its closed position, is firmly held against movement in every direction except upwardly, and in order to secure it against upward movement, I provide an angular bar 27 connected to the posts 22 and 23, and pivoted to the gate section 15 is a latch lever 28 having a notch at its upper end designed to engage the under surface of the bar 27. This latch is re leased prior to opening the gate, in a manner to be hereinafter described, but when said latch is in the position shown in Fig. 9, it obviously securely holds the gate against upward movement. At the other end of the gate I have provided means for holding the gate against swinging movement when in its closed position, as follows: Two posts, 29 and 30 are provided similar to the posts 22 and 23 before described. The post 30 is provided with a roller 31 so arranged that the top rail 11 of the gate will pass under it when moving to its closed position, and then when in its closed position, it will move upwardly behind the roller 31, and thus this end of the gate will be held against swinging I tion, I have erected two posts 32 and 33 in such position that the gate will engage them when in its open position as shown in Fig. 1. These posts are both considerably higher than the gate itself, and on the post 33 is a latch lever 34 provided with notches 35 on its under surface, said lever being pivoted to the post by the pivot pin 36.

The gate is provided with a metal plate 37, which is designed to engage with the notches 35 of the latch lever, and thus automatically lock the gate to the latch when the gate is swung to its open position.

I provide for releasing this latch device when it is desired to close the gate, in a manner hereinafter described.

I have provided for automatically swinging the gate from its open to its closed position when the latch 34 is released, as follows: The numeral 38 indicates a bar fixed to the posts 32 and 33 above the gate. This bar has a pin 39 extended vertically through it,

and also through an arched leaf spring 40. This leaf spring rests on top of the top rail 11 of the gate, and the leaf spring is pivotally connected with the bolt 39. This leaf spring normally holds the top rail 11 of the gate firmly in position on top of the post 10, and it also tends to equalize the gate on the post, to limit up and down tilting movements of the gate. Fixed to opposite sides of the bar 38 are two chains 41, and attached to these chains are the coil springs 42, the ends of which are attached to opposite sides of the gate. This arrangement is clearly shown in Fig. 2, and obviously, when the gate is in its closed position as shown in Fig. 2, the springs are not under tension, then when the gate swings to its open position, the springs will be stretched, and when the gate is released from its open position, these springs will swing it to its closed position.

I have provided means for opening and closing the gate so that a person seated in a vehicle approaching the gate from either side, may open or close it by pulling upon a rope. To support said ropes, I have erected at a short distance from the post 33, an upright post 44, and at some distance from the post 32 a similar upright post 43. Attached to the top of the post 43 is a cross arm 45, on which is a pulley 46. A rope 47 is passed over said pulley, and provided with a weight 48 on its lower end. This rope 47 is passed over a pulley 49 on the post 32, and then downwardly through a guide 50, on the top rail 11 of the gate, and is attached to the latch lever 28, hence the first effect of a pull upon said rope 47 will be to raise the latch lever 28 so that the gate section 15 may be tilted upwardly. A further pull upon the same rope will cause the gate to swing laterally toward its open position. In this connection, I have provided a spring 51 which is attached to the top rail 11, and also to the rope 47. This spring is for the purpose of holding the top taut when the gate is in its closed position, and yet allowing the part of the rope between the spring and the latch 28 to sag downwardly to a limited extent, so that there will be no tension upon the latch 28 tending to elevate it out of contact- With the bar 27. During the time that the gate is swinging to its open position, the

springs 42 will be stretched, and when the gate reaches its open position, it will be held by the latch 34.

After the operator has passed through the gate, and assuming that he desires to close it, he then pulls upon a rope 52. This rope passes through a loop 53 supported on a wire 54, which is attached to a wire 55 thatextends from the post 43 to the post 44:. The function of this loop will be hereinafter made clear. The rope 52 then extends around a pulley 56 on the post 43, then over i a pulley 57 on the post 33, and is attached to the top rail 11 of the gate so that the gate may be swung to its closed position by means of the rope 52. However, the gate cannot start on its closing movement until the latch lever 34 is released, and for this purpose I have connected to the latch lever a rope 58 which passes over a pulley 59 on the post 33, and is attached to the ring 53. These parts are so arranged that the first effect of a pull upon the rope 52 will be to pull the rope 5S sufliciently to release the latch lever 23%, then a further pull upon the rope 52 will not move the rope 58, because the rope 52 slips through the ring 53.

I have heretofore described the arrange ment of the ropes for opening and closing the gate from one side of the gate. It will be seen by referring to the accompanying drawings that the ropes for opening and closing the gate from the other side are similarly arranged, and therefore, need not be particularly described in detail.

In practical use, and assuming that the gate is in its closed position, it is obvious that it is firmly held and supported therein in such a manner that there is no strain upon the gate posts, or the gate itself, that would tend to permit it to sag or become out of line after long use, for the reason that both ends of the gate are firmly held against lateral swinging movement, and one end of the gate is firmly secured against up and down tilting movement, and the springs at the center of the gate tend to prevent up and down tilting movement. Hence, if the gate were left in this position indefinitely, and the posts were placed in soft ground, the gate would not sag or throw the posts out of their vertical positions. Furthermore, the gate cannot be opened by animals pressing upon it in any direction.

Assuming that it is desired to open the gate, the operator approaches it from either side, and by pulling upon the proper rope, liist releases the latch device, then tilts one end of the gate up, and the other down, and then swings the gate open. \Vhen the gate reaches its open position, it is immediately locked therein so that it is lirmly held until the operator passes through the gate, or as long as may be desired.

5y having the gate hinged upon a central post, it is obvious that the wind pressure, it there be any, will be equally distributed upon both sides of the gate, hence, there will be no tendency for the gate to swing in either direction on account of wind pressure. After the operator has passed through the gate, it is only necessary for him to pull upon the proper rope, whereupon the gate is unlatched, and started on its closing movement, and swung to its closed position, where it is again automatically locked. The springs l2 are also of material advantage in that they will cushion the gate against impact on the posts that hold the gate in its open position, and they are so arranged that they will prevent the gate from striking violently against these posts.

1 claim as my invention:

'1. 111 a device of the class described, the combination of a gate supporting post, a gate rail pivoted at its central portion upon said post, and capable of tilting movement, two gate sections supported on said rail on opposite sides of the post, a post in position to be engaged by one end of the said rail when the gate is in its closed position, a roller on said post so arranged that the said rail must be elevated in passing over the roller, and may lowered after passing over the roller, a post in position to be engaged by the opposite cnd of the rail when the gate is in its closed position, a roller on the latter post so positioned that the rail must be lowered to pass under it, and then may be raised aftcr passing under it, and means for limiting the swinging movement of the gate after the rail has passed over and under said rollers.

In a device of the class described, the combination of agate supporting post, a gate rail pivoted at its central portion upon said post, and capable of tilting movement, two gate sections supported on said rail on opposite sides of the post. a post in position to be engaged by one end of the said rail when the gate is in its closed position, a roller on said post so arranged that the said rail n'mst be elevated in passing over the roller, and may be lowered after passing over the roller, :1 post in position to be engaged by the opposite end of the rail when the gate is in its closed position, a roller on the latter post so positioned that the rail must be lowered to pass under it, and then may be raised after passing under it, means for limiting the swinging movement of the gate after the rail has passed over and under said rollers, j and a spring fixed to one of the gate sections to engage the gate supporting post, to nor- I nally elevate the end of the gate that is designed to pass over the roller.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a gate supporting post, a

gate rail pivoted at its central portion upon said post, and capable of tilting movement,

two gate sections supported on said rail on opposite sides of the post, a post in position j to be engaged by one end of the said rail when the gate is in its closed position, a

the latter post so positioned that the rail must be lowered to pass under it, and then may be raised after passing under it, means i combination of a gate supporting post, a

for lin'iiting the swinging movement of the gate after the rail has passed over and under 1 said rollers, a spring fixed to one of the gate justable means introduced between the other gate section and the gate supporting post,

for limiting the tilting movement of the gate. D

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a gate supporting post, a

gate rail pivoted at its central portion upon 3 must be elevated to pass over said roller,

said post, and capable of tilting movement, two gate sections supported on said rail on opposite sides of the post, a post in position to be engaged by one end of the said rail 1 when the gate is in its closed position, a roller on said post so arranged that the said rail must be elevated in passing over the roller, a post in position to be engaged by the opposite end of the rail when the gate is in its closed position, a roller on the latter post so positioned that the rail must be low ercd to pass under it, and then may be raised after passing under it, means for limiting the swinging movement of the gate after the rail has passed over and under said rollers.

a spring fixed to one of the gate sections to engage the gate supporting post, to normally elevate the end of the gate that IS designed to pass over the roller, and adjustable means introduced between the other gate section and the gate supporting post, for

limiting the tilting movement of the gate,

said adjustable means comprising a frame, rollers in the frame to engage the post, and a wedge between the frame and the gate section.

the gate that 5-. In a device of the class described, the combination of a gate supporting post, a rail pivoted at its central portion upon said gate supporting post, and capable of tilting movement thereon, two gate sections fixed to said rail on opposite sides of the post, two straps fixed to said gate sections on opposite sides and embracing said posts, two posts 1 supported in position to engage the ends of the said r-ail when the gate is in its closed position, a post adjacent to one of said posts, a roller thereon, said roller being spaced apart from the first mentioned post and said parts so arranged that the end of the rail must be elevated to pass over said roller, and may then drop between the roller and the first mentioned post, a roller on said second post so arranged that the rail must pass under it, and then may engage the first mentioned 'post, a spring arranged for normally elevating the end of the gate that is arranged to pass over said roller, and means for locking the gate against tilting movement when the rail is in position in engagement with said first mentioned posts.

'6. In a device of the class described, the

rail pivoted at its central portion upon said gate supporting post, and capable of tilting HIOVQIHBHt thereon, two gate sections fixed to said rail on opposite sides of the post, two straps fixed to said gate sections on opposite sides and embracing said post, two posts supported in position to engage the ends of the said rail when the gate is in its closed position, a post adjacent to one of said posts, a roller thereon, said roller being spaced apart from the first mentioned post and said parts so arranged that the end of the rail and may then drop between the roller and the first mentioned post, a roller on said second post so arranged that the rail must pass under itand then may engage the first mentioned post, a spring arranged for normally elevating the end of the gate that is arranged to pass over saidroller, and means for latching the gate against tilting movement when the rail is in position in engagement with said first mentioned posts, and a rope arranged when pulled, to first release said latch, then tilt the gate, and then swing it to open position.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a gate supporting post, a rail pivoted at its central portion upon said gate supporting post, and capable of tilting movement thereon, two gate sections fixed to said rail on opposite sides of the post, two straps fixed to said gate sections on opposite sides and embracing said post, two posts supported in position to engage the ends of the said rail when the gate is in its closed position, a post adjacent to one of said posts, a roller thereon, said roller being spaced apart from the first mentioned post and said parts so arranged that the ends of the rail must be elevated to pass over said roller, and may then drop between the roller and the first mentioned post, a roller on said second post so arranged that the rail must pass under it and then may engage the first mentioned post, a spring arranged for normally elevating the end of the gate that is arranged to pass over said roller, means for latching the gate against tilting movement when the rail is in position in engagement with said first mentioned posts, a rope arranged when pulled to first release said latch, then tilt the gate, and then swing it to open position, and means for supporting the lower end of the gate against swinging movement when the gate is in its closed position.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a gate supporting post having a cap at its top, with a concave upper end, a gate supporting rail, a plate at the central portion thereof, having a rounded projection to enter said cap, two gate sections fixed to said rail on opposite sides of the post, a bar fixed in position above the gate rail, an arched leaf spring having its central portion pivotally connected to said bar, and its ends arranged in engagement with the gate rail on opposite sides of the post, for normally holding the gate in a substantially horizontal position.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a gate supporting post, a gate pivotally and tiltingly connected with said post at the central portion of the gate, means for limiting the swinging movement of the gate when in its closed position, a roller supported adjacent to said means and so arranged that a portion of the gate must pass over the roller and drop between the roller and said means when the gate is moved to its closed position, and a latch pivoted to the gate, extended upwardly and outwardly, and a bar to be engaged by said latch to prevent upward movement of the gate.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination of a gate supporting post, a gate pivotally and tiltingly connected with said post at the central portion of the gate, means for limiting the swinging movement of the gate when in its closed position, a roller supported adjacent to said means and so arranged that a portion of the gate must pass over the roller and drop between the roller and said means when the gate is moved to its closed position, a latch pivoted to the gate, extended upwardly and outwardly, a bar to be engaged by said latch to prevent upward movement of the gate, a rope ar anged for opening a gate, a spring connected with said rope, and said rope being also attached to said latch whereby the firste'tlect of a pull upon the rope will be to raise the latch and then the gate will be elevated and swung to an open position.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination of a gate supporting post, a gate pivotally mounted at its central portion upon said post, means for securing said gate in a closed position, two posts to be engaged by said gate when in its open position, a latch device connected with one of said posts and designed to engage the gate and hold it in its open position, means for closing the gate, said means comprising a rope attached to said latch for elevating it before the gate swings to its closed position, a bar supported above the gate in position substantially at right angles to the closed position of the gate, two springs attached to said bar, and to the gate on opposite sides of its pivotal point, said springs being so arranged as to cushion the impact of the gate against the posts when the gate swings to its open position, and also to start the gate toward its closed position when the latch is released.

Des Moines, Iowa, March 23, 1908.

GE( )RGE A. M ANFULL.

\Vitnesses Var. P. JoNns, C. G. PHILIP. 

